At the age of 13, Tauranga sailor Micah Bollen is the youngest to qualify for the New Zealand Optimist European Championships team that will compete in Turkey next month.
“I needed to make the top 10 in New Zealand. I was very surprised; I didn’t think I would make it that far,” said the Tauranga Boys’ College Year 9 student.
Micah took up sailing four years ago and has been competing for the last two years, thriving on the added pressure.
It was his outstanding achievement at the NZ International Optimist Dinghy Association’s Optimist Selection Regatta in Auckland in February that saw him surpass his goal by finishing ninth overall and placing first in one of his races.
Tauranga sailor Micah Bollen, 13, has been thriving in the sport of sailing. Photo / Brydie Thompson
“I didn’t really believe it at first, but when I saw the results I was really happy,” he said.
It means Micah will now head to Cesme Izmir in Turkey to race against about 300 competitors from more than 40 countries in the 2025 Optimist European Championship from May 28-June 4.
“I’m incredibly proud of Micah,” said his mother Grace Bollen. “We went up to Auckland not sure of how he’d do because they’re a tough crowd and it’s a big goal to achieve.
“He was just nailing his races and staying consistent. He’s put a lot of hard work into it, training three times a week. We spend a lot of time in Auckland and he has great coaches.”
Tauranga sailor Micah Bollen, 13, has been thriving in the sport of sailing. Photo / Brydie Thompson
For the last six months, one of those coaches has been Lorenzo Milesi.
“Micah is the one who works the hardest,” Milesi said. “He is intense in every training, very focused and disciplined.
“He realises that he’s good and has the potential. He never misses a session, he’s the first one to arrive and is always asking me questions about how he can improve.”
Micah has lofty goals – inspired by Peter Burling who’s also from the Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club. “I’d like to make it to the worlds – and, one day, the Olympics.”
Watch this space!